We’re into the second month of 2018 now and after the indulgence of Christmas and the good intentions of January, it’s time to get back on board with our one true love – food.
With so many great food and drink events taking place throughout the year, we’ve decided to make things easier for you by compiling a list of the most unmissable food events for the rest of the year.
Keeping you busy every month of the year, you won’t be resting on your laurels for very long. So get your calendar out and take note of all your favourite festivals because we’re sure you won’t want to miss these.
Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fair
The Idea: Featuring a variety of local and international craft beverages, you can join fellow enthusiasts at this, which is now in its fifth year.
When: March 8th-10th
Where: The Convention Centre, Dublin
Website: alltechbrewsandfood.com
Dublin Bay Prawn Festival
The Idea: A whole host of seafood dishes await visitors to the annual Dublin Bay Prawn Festival, taking place in the beautiful seaside suburb of Howth.
When: March 17th – 19th
Where: Howth, Dublin
Website: dublinbayprawnfestival.ie
Galway Food Festival
The Idea: The annual food festival is now in its 7th year. Focusing on a specific theme every year, with this year focusing on ‘Planting Seeds’, this is the place to be to sample the very best food from Galway and the Wild Atlantic Way.
When: March 29th – April 2nd
Where: Galway
Website: galwayfoodfestival.com
West Waterford Festival of Food
The Idea: The West Waterford Festival of Food has been a popular event on the food calendar since 2008 and showcases fresh flavours and produce from the region.
When: April 20th-22nd
Where: Dungarvan and other locations across West Waterford
Website: westwaterfordfestivaloffood.com
Connemara Mussel Festival
The Idea: This festival celebrates the community, food and culture of the west of Ireland, with cooking demonstrations, activities and delicious Killary Mussels served throughout the weekend.
When: May 4th-6th
Where: Tullycross, Renvyle, Co. Galway
Website: connemaramusselfestival.com
Cork Vegfest
The Idea: Cork Vegfest is back by popular demand this year. The food showcase is a celebration of vegan food, vegan businesses and vegan culture. So pop to Cork and try some great food, you don’t need to be a vegan to enjoy.
When: May 12th
Where: Cork
Website: corkvegfest.com
Burren Slow Food Festival
The Idea: Offering food demonstrations, tastings and talks with top chefs, the Burren Slow Food Festival is a family friendly festival bursting with activities, workshops and sampling the produce at the artisan food stalls.
When: Date TBC
Where: Co. Clare
Website: burren.ie
Belfast Craft Beer Fesitval
The Idea: Taste the best Irish craft beers and ciders at Belfast’s massive 3-day festival. Meet cider makers and distillers and attend exciting talks about craft beer.
When: Date TBC
Where: Custom House Square, Belfast
Website: belfastcraftbeerfest.com
Limerick International Food Truck Festival
The Idea: An explosion of international cuisine, 2018’s Limerick International Food Truck Festival will be bursting with over 60 food trucks from 14 countries. It’s a wonderful event to sample dishes from around the world.
When: May 31st – June 4th
Where: People’s Park, Limerick City
Website: limerick.ie
Bloom
The Idea: Launched in 2007 by Bord Bia, Bloom is an exciting weekend showcase for garden design, horticulture and quality food, with Ireland’s top chefs and cooks in attendance.
When: May 31st – June 4th
Where: Phoenix Park, Dublin
Website: bloominthepark.com
Taste of Dublin
The Idea: Experience four days of eating, drinking and entertainment at Taste of Dublin, with unmissable tastings and chef demos.
When: Date TBC
Where: The Iveagh Gardens
Website: dublin.tastefestivals.com
Westport Food Festival
The Idea: Now in its 8th year, the Westport Food Festival offers visitors a whole host of activities, from food tours, seaweed foraging, pizza-making classes for kids and much more.
When: Date TBC
Where: Westport, Mayo
Website: westportfoodfestival.ie
Body & Soul
The Idea: Body & Soul is a jam-packed weekend full of world-class music, immersive art, relaxing therapies and gastronomic indulgences – what more could you want from a weekend.
When: June 22nd – 24th
Where: Ballinlough Castle, Clonmellon, Co. Westmeath
Website: bodyandsoul.ie
The Irish Gin & Tonic Fest
The Idea: The Irish Gin & Tonic Festival celebrates the new and exciting drinks crafted by bars, restaurants and hotels, with a winner being selected by public vote.
When: June 25th – 30th
Where: Nationwide
Website: greatirishbeverages.com
Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival
The Idea: If you venture 20 minutes outside of Wexford Town, you’ll come to Kilmore. Home to the Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival, indulge in delicious seafood platters, a food court at the marina and loads of family friendly activities. Proceeds are used to fund developments in the community.
When: Date TBC
Where: Kilmore, Co. Wexford
Website: kilmorequayseafoodfestival.com
Beatyard
The Idea: As part of the Beatyard Festival, Eatyard offers over 50 food areas, demos, food competitions and workshops, as well as craft beers, a gin bar and more.
When: August 4th and 5th
Where: Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
Website: the-beatyard.com
Taste of Cavan
The Idea: Entering into its 7th year, Taste of Cavan draws thousands of hungry revellers to its food stalls. Last year saw over 120 artisan food and craft producers in attendance and this year promises to be even bigger and better.
When: Date TBC
Where: Cavan Equestrian Centre, Cavan
Website: thisiscavan.ie
The Big Grill Festival
The Idea: Enjoy the best cooking with fire and smoke at the Big Grill Festival, where you can take part in demos and workshops from well-known chefs, as well as enjoying a craft beer or two.
When: August 16th – 19th
Where: Herbert Park, Ballsbridge
Website: biggrillfestival.com
A Taste of Donegal Food Festival
The Idea: Celebrating their 10th anniversary, visitors will be treated to exhibitors from all over Ireland and the UK, as well as wine and beer masterclasses and Celebrity Chef demonstrations, not to mention a fantastic fireworks display.
When: August 24th-26th
Where: Donegal Town
Website: atasteofdonegal.com
The Dalkey Lobster Festival
The Idea: The Dalkey Lobster Festival is a wonderful fusion of local seafood and jazz and is the perfect place to spend some time with family and friends, as well as sampling some incredible dishes.
When: Date TBC
Where: Dalkey, Dublin
Website: dalkeylobsterfest
Theatre of Food at Electric Picnic
The Idea: Theatre of Food is where you’ll find all the food lovers at Electric Picnic, enjoying a variety of workshops, demos, debates, and food of course.
When: August 31st – September 2nd
Where: Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois
Website: electricpicnic.ie
Irish Craft Beer Festival
The Idea: Join your fellow craft beer aficionados and over 40 brewers and cocktail makers (not to mention more than 200 beers) at Ireland’s largest craft beer festival.
When: Date TBC
Where: RDS, Dublin
Website: irishcraftbeerfestival.ie
A Taste of West Cork Food Festival
The Idea: This exciting festival brings together an unmissable mix of food markets, demonstrations, competitions, food-tastings and much more, all from one of Ireland’s best food locations.
When: September 7th – 16th
Where: West Cork
Website: atasteofwestcork.com
Waterford Harvest Festival
The Idea: A fun family weekend in Ireland’s oldest city, the Waterford Harvest Festival is full of food markets, live music events, cookery demos, workshops and much more.
When: Date TBC
Where: The Mall, Waterford
Website: waterfordharvestfestival.ie
Oktoberfest Dublin
The Idea: Prost! Experience endless beer and entertainment at Oktoberfest Dublin – the perfect excuse for day drinking. Be sure to sample some German delicacies, including some barbecued sausages!
When: Date TBC
Where: George’s Dock, Dublin
Website: oktoberfest-dublin.de
Food, Retail & Hospitality Expo Ireland 2018
The Idea: A must-attend event for anyone working in the food and drinks industry, the expo brings all these delegates, speakers and exhibitors together for a day of knowledge and innovation.
When: September 26th
Where: Citywest, Dublin
Website: foodhospitality.ie
Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival
The Idea: Enterting its 64th year, the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival is one of the largest in the world. The 3-day event will see a host of activities for the whole family, tastings, entertainment and the World Oyster Opening Championships.
When: September 28th – 30th
Where: Galway City
Website: galwayoysterfestival.com
Dingle Food Festival
The Idea: Enjoy cookery demos, workshops, whiskey tastings, food and drink trails and many more events at the Dingle Food Festival, a highlight for locals and tourists alike.
When: October 5th – 7th
Where: Dingle, Co. Kerry
Website: dinglefood.com
Kinsale Gourmet Festival
The Idea: Hosted by Kinsale’s ten Good Food Circle restaurants, the Kinsale Gourmet Festival features fine wine and dining experiences, including a foodie walking tour, black tie gala and a charity auction in aid of local organisations.
When: Date TBC
Where: Kinsale
Website: kinsalerestaurants.com
Irish Cocktail Festival
The Idea: Bars, restaurants and hotels will offer great tasting cocktails at enviable prices as the search for Ireland’s best cocktail continues.
When: October 15th – 20th
Where: Nationwide
Website: greatirishbeverages.com
Food on the Edge
The Idea: Food on the Edge is an exciting and informative 2-day symposium for chefs and food enthusiasts from around the world, who come together to discuss the future of food in the industry.
When: October 22nd – 23rd
Where: Galway, Ireland
Website: foodontheedge.ie
Savour Kilkenny
The Idea: Inescapable fun for the whole family, Savour Kilkenny is a wonderful celebration of food, packed full of great chefs, speakers, demos and delicious culinary dishes.
When: October 26th – 29th
Where: Kilkenny
Website: savourkilkenny.com
Listowel Food Fair
The Idea: Celebrating its 24th year, the Listowel Food Fair highlights Kerry’s finest food prodcuers. Festival attendees will be treated to a range of cooking demonstrations, tastings, food trails workshops and competitions.
When: Date TBC
Where: Listowel, Kerry
Website: listowelfoodfair.ie
BBC Good Food Show
The Idea: Taking over Belfast’s Waterfront for the past two years, the BBC Good Food Show brings the best chefs, food producers and brands together, with cooking demos, shopping, entertainment and tasting all on the table for visitors.
When: Date TBC
Where: Belfast Waterfront, Belfast
Website: bbcgoodfoodshow.com
Gifted – The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair
The Idea: As part of this pre-Christmas gift fair, visitors can browse a wonderful selection of over 100 artisan food producers, tasting food from home and abroad.
When: Date TBC
Where: RDS, Dublin
Website: giftedfair.ie
If you have an Irish food festival or event you would like to be included in our Food Festival Calendar, please send the details to sarah@thetaste.ie.
Sarah has always had a great love of travel, food and photography. Following her journalism degree at DCU, she developed a passion for travel writing while living in Spain.
Sarah loves exploring new places and sampling the local cuisine. Working with TheTaste.ie combines her love of food and travel.
A big people person, especially when it comes to hearing other people’s stories, Sarah loves interviewing chefs, food producers and more.
Sarah Glascott Sarah Glascott
